Site search

Joan D. (Waclawski) Torcello, 96, beloved wife of the late Ralph F. “Rick” Torcello, died June 1, 2020 at Crest Manor Nursing Home in Fairport, NY.  Mrs. Torcello was born February 8, 1924, a daughter of the late Anthony and Anna Waclawski of Bethany Center & Buffalo, NY.  She was a Business Major graduate in 1941 from Riverside High School in Buffalo and upon graduation, worked first as an aircraft riveter and then as account clerk at Bell Aircraft Corporation. 

During WWII Joan moved to Washington, D.C. to work as an account clerk with the Navy Department and later for the Veteran’s Administration in D.C. and in Buffalo after the war.   She and Rick were married on October 19, 1946 after his discharge from the Naval Armed Guard that year.

Joan continued to be employed over the years in accounting and office management for Roy Porter Produce & Brokerage in Elba for over 12 years.  She retired from the Batavia Holiday Inn in 1986 after 14 years as their bookkeeper and accountant.  Over her lifetime she was a member of the Stafford Planning Board, the Republican Stafford and County Committees, the Byron-Bergen PTA, serving as president, and the Byron Bergen Advisory and Educational Study Committees.

She enjoyed volunteering at the St. Jerome Hospital Gift Shop and the Batavia Senior Center.  She also participated as a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Glenn S. Loomis Post #332, Batavia American Legion.  With her husband, she was an avid summer Silver Lake camper and loved showing their antique automobiles at area car shows.  A devout Catholic, she was a member of Ascension Parish/Sacred Heart Church and former member of the Altar & Rosary Society.

She is survived by her four children, Patricia A. (Joseph) Catalina of Valatie, NY; Marcia A. (Joseph) Rice of Pittsburgh, PA; Ronald R. (Mary Cain) Torcello of Churchville, NY; and Robin J. (Stephen) Hodownes of Honeoye Falls, NY; eight grandchildren and five great grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by sisters Mary Dombrowski, Sophie Adolf, Stella Kawacz, Frances Polec, Julia Slusar, Helen Hunt and Josephine Mager, and by brothers Joseph Waclawski, John Waclawski and Walter Waclawski.

Private services and funeral mass will be held at the convenience of the family. Interment will be in St. Joseph’s cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, Mass cards or to a charity of the donor’s choice. Expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family at: www.mcandrewfuneralhomes.net.

ARRANGEMENTS WERE ENTRUSTED TO THE J. LEONARD McANDREW FUNERAL HOME, LLC, 2 BOGUE AVE., BATAVIA, NY14020. RONALD KONIEZNY II, DIRECTOR.

 

 

Batavia - Edwin W. Schoenthal, 89 of Batavia passed away on Friday, (December 25, 2020) at Premier Genesee Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation in Batavia.

Mr. Schoenthal was born June 4, 1931 in Alabama, a son of the late Walter and Mabel (Scharlau) Schoenthal.

Edwin graduated from Medina High School in 1949 and worked for many years at the former Genesee County Farm in Bethany. Upon the farm's closure, he began working as a Drill Press Operator at Batavia Metal Products.  A fireman for nearly 70 years, Mr. Schoenthal joined the Bethany Fire Department in 1951 where he was a life member and past chief; he was a life member and past president of the Stafford Fire Department; and a life member, former board member, and past vice president of the Alabama Fire Department where he worked bingo weekly. He received numerous awards over 7 decades in fire service including the Genesee County Fireman of the Year Award in 1968.  He was a member and past president of the Genesee County Chiefs Association; a past member of both the NYS and WNY Volunteer Firemans Associations.

Surviving along with his wife, Sally (Meisner) Schoenthal whom he married March 3, 1955 are his daughter, Judy Sanders of Batavia; grandchildren, Jeremy, Todd, Andy, Jason, and Jessie; brothers, Alan (Leticia) Schoenthal of Texas, and Lester (Janet) Schoenthal of Ontario; a sister, Gloria Lewis of Maryland. Numerous great-grandchildren, along with several nieces and nephews also survive.

Ed is preceded in death by a daughter, Deborah Ann Long; and a grandson, Eric Fairbanks.

Family and friends are invited to call on Wednesday from 5 to 8 p.m. at the H.E. Turner & Co. Funeral Home, 403 East Main Street in Batavia. Edwin's Funeral Service will be held privately for his family, however will be live-streamed via the funeral home's website beginning at 8 p.m. Wednesday. Burial will be in Reed Cemetery in Oakfield.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alabama Fire Department, PO Box 798, Basom, NY 14013.

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic, the funeral home will be limited to 25 people throughout the course of visitation. Please be prepared to wait outside. Face coverings and social distancing are required. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding.

Please leave a condolence, share a story, or light a candle at www.bataviafuneralhomes.com.